Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Nematoda |
Class: | Secernentea |
Order: | Tylenchida |
Family: | Panagrolaimidae |
Genus: | Tarantobelus |
Species: | T. jeffdanielsi
|
Binomial name | |
Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi Schurkman et al. 2022
|
Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi is a species of nematode, and is one of only two species known to infect tarantulas. [1] [2]
T. jeffdanielsi was discovered in 2018 when a wholesale breeder noticed white discharge in the mouths of their tarantulas, and strange behavior prior to death. This discharge were the nematodes in the tarantula's oral cavity. [1] [2]
The nematodes infect the oral cavity of a tarantula. The host will begin to lose control of its appendages and fangs, causing starvation and a 'tip toe' like walking behavior. [1] [2] The nematodes only infect the tarantula's mouth, suggesting they may feed on bacteria that lives on tarantulas rather than the actual tarantula. [3]
T. jeffdanielsi was named after actor Jeff Daniels for his role in the 1990 movie Arachnophobia. [1] [2]
Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Nematoda |
Class: | Secernentea |
Order: | Tylenchida |
Family: | Panagrolaimidae |
Genus: | Tarantobelus |
Species: | T. jeffdanielsi
|
Binomial name | |
Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi Schurkman et al. 2022
|
Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi is a species of nematode, and is one of only two species known to infect tarantulas. [1] [2]
T. jeffdanielsi was discovered in 2018 when a wholesale breeder noticed white discharge in the mouths of their tarantulas, and strange behavior prior to death. This discharge were the nematodes in the tarantula's oral cavity. [1] [2]
The nematodes infect the oral cavity of a tarantula. The host will begin to lose control of its appendages and fangs, causing starvation and a 'tip toe' like walking behavior. [1] [2] The nematodes only infect the tarantula's mouth, suggesting they may feed on bacteria that lives on tarantulas rather than the actual tarantula. [3]
T. jeffdanielsi was named after actor Jeff Daniels for his role in the 1990 movie Arachnophobia. [1] [2]